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First minister rejected meeting on tanker seizure, says Alexander
Douglas Alexander said John Swinney declined a US military briefing on Wick airport use amid tensions over the Marinera tanker seizure and devolved defence roles.
- During a Thursday visit to Leonardo UK, Douglas Alexander said he personally offered a briefing to John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland, but the offer was not accepted.
- Earlier this month, a US-led operation seized the Venezuela-linked Russian-flagged tanker Marinera and escorted it into the Moray Firth; John Swinney said he expected the Scottish Government to be `fully sighted` on security issues.
- Aircraft activity over northern Scotland included special operations flights at Wick John O'Groats, where American special operations planes were spotted ahead of the Marinera seizure ordered by Donald Trump.
- Swinney wrote to the Prime Minister after calling Alexander's letter `juvenile` and says he has since been offered dialogue and security information he will pursue.
- Against a backdrop of strained UK‑Scotland relations, ministers warned that The Scotland Act leaves defence and foreign affairs reserved to Westminster and urged the Scottish National Party to invest in defence skills.
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Evening StandardReposted by 
perspectivemedia.com
perspectivemedia.comSwinney did not accept briefing on military use of airport, says Alexander
Douglas Alexander made the claim on Thursday as he joined Defence Secretary John Healey.
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources9
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Left
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
56% Left
L 56%
C 44%
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